Comptroller Joan Pratt made the accusations Wednesday at a Board of Estimates meeting. She noted that former Information Technology Director Rico Singleton resigned following revelations of procurement violations in a previous job in New York state government.

"I am angry because the mayor is not being truthful, she's not being honest," Pratt said.

Citing the city charter, Pratt told the mayor that the purchase never went before the board and infringed on her authority.

"The city cannot afford to spend $659,000 illegally," Pratt told reporters after the Board of Estimates meeting Wednesday. "Cisco did not bid ... Cisco did not respond to the RFP. The mayor told an untruth and said she was not aware of the fact that telephone systems were being installed in various agencies when it had been. That's why I called her."

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake responded that the information technology office has saved the city money. The mayor also said she tried to reach the comptroller but that her office indicated Pratt was out of town. The mayor did not share comments after the meeting.

City Solicitor George Nilson said he doesn't believe anything illegal was done but will review the purchase. He offered a motion to defer the matter for three meetings. The motion carried.

A representative for the mayor said the issue has not been raised previously and she was still trying to get details.